Russia is developing and testing advanced models of hypersonic weapons for various purposes. These projects, despite their secrecy, attract the attention of foreign media and become a reason for the emergence of new publications. Hypersonic topics are of interest to the Chinese press, among others. A few days ago, the online edition "Phoenix" published its vision of current problems and made bold assumptions. First of all, it should be noted that it calls Russia a leader in a promising industry.
On November 2, the online edition "Phoenix" / Ifeng.com in its military section published an article "俄军 史无前例" 航母 杀手 "将 列 装 ， 奠定 俄罗斯 高 超音速 大 国 地位" a powerful hypersonic power "). As the title suggests, the authors reviewed the latest projects in the cutting edge industry and assessed their impact on the development of the Russian armed forces.
At the beginning of the article, the Chinese authors recall the expected events discussed recently. They point out that the Russian army may soon receive the latest hypersonic weapons. If they can be handed over to the armed forces in the near future, then Russia will receive a unique status. It will become the first country in the world to introduce hypersonic technology.
First of all, we are talking about hypersonic combat equipment for the promising Sarmat ballistic missile. In addition, it is known about the existence of a new anti-ship missile "Zircon". It was she who became the first Russian product of its class, brought to the testing stage. However, as the Chinese newspaper notes, the Russian military is in no hurry to disclose data on new projects of hypersonic weapons. In addition, they do not publish photographs or videos of the products.
Phoenix reminds that, according to official data, no country in the world has yet adopted hypersonic systems. The latest news shows that Russia is creating projects of this kind. If it can conduct new tests and demonstrate new weapons, for example, before the end of this year, then this will have important consequences. The Zircon rocket will be able to become the world's first product of its class, featuring special capabilities. None of the existing air defense systems will be able to intercept such weapons. If the Zircon is really capable of developing hypersonic speed, then it will be able to overcome any existing means of protection.
In the context of promising Russian weapons, the authors recall an old Chinese proverb. It says that there is no martial arts that cannot be won with speed. The latest news shows that Russia is putting the principle of this proverb into practice. In the very near future, the Russian army may be the first in the world to receive hypersonic weapons. As a result, Russia will confirm its status as a world leader in a promising direction. The authors recall that research in the field of hypersonic technology has continued throughout the world over the past several decades.
However, "Phoenix" reminds that the development of hypersonic technologies and weapons based on them is not easy. Many key aspects of this direction are extremely difficult to create and develop. A significant part of them still cannot advance beyond research and testing. In addition, promising projects face various difficulties that affect their progress.
The publication gives a couple of examples of unsuccessful projects of hypersonic systems from the recent past. So, at the beginning of the decade, the American organization DARPA, as part of the Falcon project, conducted two test launches of HTV-2 aircraft. Both flights ended with unwanted results. The tests were found to be a failure. In Russia, a project of a similar kind called "Igla" was being developed. However, it was also not possible to bring it to the required state. This time, the continuation of the work was prevented by a lack of funding.
Russia's latest hypersonic weapons projects appear to be coming to fruition. This means that Russian scientists and engineers were able to make a significant contribution to the development of the industry, including the global one.
At the end of its article, the Phoenix edition asks about the fundamental differences between hypersonic weapons and other types of systems. It asks: what is the main advantage of hypersonic systems? The answer is immediately given. Its main advantage is its high flight speed, which, for example, makes it possible to effectively attack other weapons systems. The high flight speed and the corresponding kinetic energy increases the impact on the target, and also makes it easier to break through the enemy's defense. The authors believe that new types of hypersonic weapons are capable of effectively overcoming the countermeasures of most existing air and missile defense systems.
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A recent article by the Chinese publication "Phoenix" clearly demonstrates the interest in promising Russian developments shown by the foreign press. At the same time, the publication “俄军 史无前例“航母 杀手”将 列 装 ， 奠定 俄罗斯 高 超音速 大 国 地位” has specific features. Firstly, it does not go into details of a technical or political nature, and secondly, it may look overly laudatory. In other words, the authors noted Russian merits in the development of a promising industry and noted what they are, but did not consider new projects in detail.
However, the praise cannot be called undeserved. Russian science and industry is indeed actively engaged in the study and development of hypersonic technologies, and by now it has received very remarkable results. According to various reports recently, at least two promising models of hypersonic weapons are approaching the stage of adoption and the beginning of operation. Thus, as the authors of "Phoenix" rightly point out, Russia in the near future may become the first country in the world to adopt hypersonic weapons.
First of all, we are talking about the latest anti-ship missile 3M22 "Zircon". Last year, there were reports of the imminent arrival of such weapons in the troops. Several months ago, in the spring, news was published in the Russian press, according to which the new State Armament Program for 2018-2025 provides for the purchase of serial Zircon products. The missile has already passed a number of tests and will soon be able to get into arsenals. However, it is quite possible that the first products of this type, in an atmosphere of secrecy, have already gone to the warehouses of the navy.
The Chinese edition also mentions a "hypersonic missile" called "Sarmat". In this case, we are talking about a heavy-class intercontinental ballistic missile with special combat equipment. To improve the combat qualities and effectiveness of ICBMs of the RS-28 "Sarmat" type, a special guided warhead called "Avangard" was developed. It is a hypersonic aircraft capable of independently performing high-speed gliding flight. Like standard warheads, such a product can develop high speed, but it is distinguished by the ability to maneuver during flight.
To date, Russian officials have repeatedly spoken about testing the Sarmat missile. In addition, it announced that the Avangard product was still being tested. In the medium term, it is likely that joint tests of an intercontinental launch vehicle and its hypersonic combat equipment will take place. The entire complex is expected to enter service in 2020 or later.
However, another missile will be the first carrier of the Avangard. According to the latest Russian press reports, the deployment of these products will begin in 2019. Modernized UR-100N UTTH missiles will be their carriers.
The well-known examples of Russian-developed hypersonic weapons are designed to solve different combat missions, but have similar operating principles, due to which the same advantages over other weapons are provided. A hypersonic aircraft, whether or not equipped with its own propulsion system, is capable of high-speed flight and maneuvers. High speed dramatically reduces the permissible reaction time of air defense systems, and maneuvering makes it difficult to correctly target interceptor missiles. Moreover, such a target turns out to be beyond the capabilities of "classical" missile defense systems designed to counter ballistic missiles.
It is curious that the Chinese publication, admiring Russian developments in the field of hypersonic technologies, does not mention domestic projects. In recent years, Chinese science and industry has also shown certain successes, and its new developments in the future can enter service, increasing the potential of the army.
According to known data, since 2014, China has been testing the WU-14 or DF-ZF hypersonic aircraft. Tests of this product are still ongoing, and the prototypes have made several successful flights. However, the exact characteristics of the product, as well as the plans of the military for its further development, remain unknown. According to various estimates, a hypersonic device can become a carrier of a nuclear or conventional warhead and will be designed to quickly destroy remote enemy targets.
The development of promising models of hypersonic weapons is carried out in different countries. At the same time, Russian projects of this kind have advanced further than foreign ones. According to various sources, missiles and warheads of new types are successfully coping with tests and should soon enter service. Receiving new weapons with unique capabilities, Russia, as Phoenix notes, is becoming a powerful hypersonic power.
